Bengali, Odia singer Nirmala Mishra passes away aged 81

Noted Bengali and Odia singer Nirmala Mishra died in the early hours of Sunday at her Chetla residence after suffering a massive heart attack, according to a senior doctor.

Mishra, 81, who sang in several Bengali and Odia films, had been suffering from age-related ailments for some time.

“Around 12.05 a.m., she suffered a massive heart attack and was taken to the nearest nursing home, where the singer was declared dead,” the doctor told PTI.

Mishra, who was born in the West Bengal district of South 24 Parganas in 1938, received the Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das Award for her lifetime contribution to Odia music.

‘Eamon Ekta Jhinuk,’ ‘Bolo to Arshi,’ and ‘Eai Banglar Mati Te’ are some of her popular Bengali songs, while ‘Nida Bhara Raati Madhu Jhara Janha’ and ‘Mo Mana Beena Ra Taare’ are some of her hit Odia songs.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her condolences on Mishra’s death.

According to official sources, the singer’s body will be taken to Rabindra Sadan around 11 a.m. for her fans and admirers to pay their last respects.